Growing from seed is a smart way to expand your garden – and it gives you a great sense of accomplishment! Here’s how to do it!

What is it about planting seeds that we enjoy so much? It may have something to do with the satisfaction of growing new plant life indoors when it’s still cold outside, or later in the season, with the tangible pleasure of planting tiny seeds in sun-warmed garden soil and anticipating the arrival of green sprouts. Imagine (or remember!) the incredible joy you feel when you share your meals from garden to table with family and friends, knowing that the delectable salad or tasty bruschetta originated as a tiny seed grown by you. Seed-starting is a great distraction and also a fun task. Bonus: plants raised from seeds are a wonderful addition to your garden.

When do you start seeding?

When you get those seed packets in your possession, we know you are eager to start growing. But be careful: if you start sowing too early, you risk getting lanky, overgrown plants that need careful care until the last night frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. But if you start seeding too late, you will envy your neighbors’ BLTs while you wait desperately for the flowers on your plants to bear fruit. So how can you choose the best time to plant seeds? The best times to sow can always be found online, but here we give you a few tips for the most popular plants:

• Tomatoes: mid-March – mid-April
• Bell peppers: late January – early February
• Peppers: late January – mid-March
• Zucchini: mid-May

Pro tips for germinating seeds

Some seeds require a little more care to germinate. A heated propagator, such as the Garland XL propagator, can help increase success since certain plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, need warm soil to germinate. Seeds, such as peas, can germinate faster if soaked in water overnight. Sow lettuce seeds on the ground because they need light to germinate. In addition, some seeds, such as borage, need darkness until they grow. (After germination, however, all seedlings need light).

Whatever seeds you choose to plant, be sure to choose a location in your home that has all the conditions necessary for healthy growth, including excellent light (or access to power if you plan to grow lights to use), constant warm temperatures and good air circulation.

In addition, keep in mind that some seeds are excellent for direct sowing in the garden; other slower-growing seeds are best started indoors. Radishes, for example, take about a month to ripen. For a constant supply of fresh vegetables to enjoy, also consider succession planting with fast-growing seeds, sowing a fresh batch every few weeks.

Get the right supplies to get started

It is important that you have everything you need to start sowing, this way you increase your chances of getting the best germination. There are a number of things you can use to get started:

• Seeds: check out our seed market for the best seeds
• Propagator: for example, the propagator starter kit from The Grow Supplier
• Potting soil: choose a good quality potting soil for your crops
• Heated propagator: ideal for peppers, tomatoes and peppers. The Garland XL propagator comes highly recommended
• Sufficient light: once the seeds germinate, sufficient quality light is needed. For example, by using a grow light.
• Timer: A good timer if you use grow lights
• Plant labels
• Plant sprayer with water

How do you start seeding?

We have 12 simple steps to germinate your seeds:

1. Fill your propagator or seed tray with your soil.
2. Place your seeds about 0.5 to 1 cm deep in the soil, leaving at least 2 centimeters between seeds.
3. Cover your seeds with soil and place labels to identify the seeds.
4. Use a plant sprayer to moisten the soil (not too wet).
5. Make sure your seeds stay warm and moist. A propagator works perfectly.
6. Spray the soil daily to keep it moist.
7. Once the seeds germinate, turn on the grow lights at a height of about 5 – 10 cm (not lower!). Or put them in the sunniest spot in the house.
8. Plague your plants a little. This sounds strange, but if you regularly run your hand gently through your plants they will become firmer. That way they can better withstand the wind when they go outside.
9. When the second pair of leaves grow, these are the first “real” leaves, the plants can move to a larger pot after a while. P9 is an appropriate size for this.
10. Use a fork and scoop under the seedling’s roots to remove it from its current environment.
11. Place the seedlings in a larger pot with potting soil and repeat for each seedling. Place the pots on a drip tray and water them vigorously (make sure excess water can drain away).
12. Place the plants under your grow lights or in front of the window for sufficient light

How do you pot seedlings to the final pot or garden?

Be careful about moving the plants outside into the garden when the weather gets warmer! They must be “hardened off” before being moved, which is the process of gradually acclimating young plants produced indoors to adverse outdoor conditions such as intense sun, wind and rain. Give your plants an hour or so to start outside in a flat, somewhat sunny, wind-protected area. Increase the amount of time they spend outside and the amount of sunlight they receive daily. If the nights are cold, bring them inside. In addition, keep them hydrated, as the wind and sun will dry them out. (If it rains, be sure to empty the trays with standing water).

You can safely move your plants to their new garden home as soon as the weather permits and they have acclimated to the outdoors for about two weeks. Check out our blog on hardening off if you want to know exactly how to do it.

You will enjoy the satisfaction of preparing dinners from seed to fork for your loved ones and friends, knowing that those tenderly cultivated seeds will yield countless delicious harvests. Check out our seed market for the highest quality seeds.

Enjoy the process of starting seeds!

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